Physiotherapy for Low back pain - Hip, Knee and Ankle pain

Clay Dattani leads this course on evaluating lumbar spine, pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle, and applying manual therapy, muscle energy techniques, and open kinematic chain and closed pneumatic chain exercises.

Examine and treat the lumbar spine, pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle through postural assessment, palpation, manual therapy, muscle energy techniques, and open and closed kinetic chain exercises.

Learn to examine hip and lumbar regions in supine and prone positions, using spinal iliaca anterior superior and spinal iliaca posterior superior landmarks to assess iliopsoas, diaphragm, gluteals, and piriformis.

Learn to palpate the pelvis using ASIS, PSIS, and the iliac crest to assess alignment and tilt, and test for sacroiliac joint movement, anteversion, retroversion, and lumbosacral blockage.

Apply myofascial techniques to the lumbar region and hip, starting with diaphragmatic relaxation and iliopsoas release, then open the lumbosacral fascia and relax the piriformis.

Learn open kinematic chain hip exercises in supine and lateral positions to activate iliopsoas, rectus femoris, gluteus medius and minimus, tensor fasciae latae, and hip adductors via bridging and resistance.

Perform closed kinematic chain hip exercises—squat, sumo squat, deadlift, and bridging—to activate the hip, glutes, and core while teaching knee alignment and pelvis retroversion.

Perform bear position close kinematic chain exercises to stabilize the lumbar spine and activate the abdominal wall, benefiting hip, knee, and ankle with breathing cycles and progression to leg extensions.

Examine the knee by assessing edema and trauma history to localize pain and differentiate patella, ligaments, menisci, or hamstrings; perform ROM, McMurray, drawer, varus/valgus, and squat assessment.

Master knee joint care with myofascial techniques and muscle energy techniques, focusing on patella movements, fascia release, and targeted relaxation of adductors, quadriceps, hamstrings, and abductors.

Demonstrates open kinetic chain knee exercises, including quadriceps activation with dorsiflexion, hip involvement, and progressive movements like bicycle, bridging, and hamstring strengthening with resistance and proprioception work.

Close kinetic chain knee exercises teach lunges (static, reverse, curtsy) with pelvis alignment and knee rotation to improve proprioception, plus wall squats and heel raises for knee and ankle control.

Examine the ankle and foot with visual inspection for edema and deformities, then palpate the talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, assess plantar fascia and Achilles tendon flexibility.

Learn to treat the ankle and foot with myofascial and muscle energy techniques, manage edema, mobilize tarsal and metatarsal bones, and stretch the Achilles and soleus to improve proprioception.

Perform open kinetic chain ankle exercises, beginning with dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion against theraband resistance, then circumduction and active mobilization, followed by closed kinetic chain and proprioceptive work.

Demonstrates close kinetic chain and proprioceptive ankle exercises started seated, progressed to standing with heel raises, plantar-flexion and dorsiflexion, circular and lateral movements, and one-foot balance with eyes closed.